It seems the world of diet aids is ever expanding in its search for the best of the best in terms of diet supplements. The latest in the search to be brought to light is Hoodia Gordonii, but is all the hype good for Hoodia's reputation as a great diet aid? Some are comparing Hoodia to Ephedra and this is due to the market being flooded with products containing Hoodia. The biggest distinction between Hoodia and Ephedra is that Ephedra poses serious health risks and gave the user sever reactions such as the jitters; but Hoodia is all natural and has no adverse side effects. In order to know if Hoodia is a fad or here to stay we will look at the benefits in this article.  

It is important to know what Hoodia can do and can't do, so here are the facts on Hoodia as they are known to us today:  

1. Hoodia products are branded by various names such as Hoodia, xhooda, khoba, and Hoodia cactus as well as the best known name; Hoodia Gordonii.
2. Hoodia Gordonii is a cactus plant that is native to South Africa only, and has been being paid much attention for its ability to suppress the appetite as well as elevate mood.
3. The cactus plant Hoodia Gordonii is found in Botswana , Namibia , and Angola . This plant is identified scientifically as a succulent not a cactus however due to its appearance is generally referred to as a cactus.
4. While many diet supplements have come to our attention and quickly been disproved, Hoodia is no fly by night scam. Many well know news shows have done investigative reports on the benefits of Hoodia.
5. There are many subspecies of the Hoodia plant however only Hoodia Gordonii has been traditionally used by the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert region of South Africa for thousands of years. They would ingest Hoodia on their long hunting trips in order to not feel hunger, gotten without the use of stimulants.
6. The component P57 is what makes Hoodia so great at repressing hunger when the plant is ingested. P57 is a molecule that tells the brain that the body is full by sending out chemicals.

There are many brands of products available today, each possessing some form or amount of Hoodia. The cost to manufacture Hoodia from its raw form is high so cost will be a consideration, as will a mark of certification that the Hoodia in the product is effective and pure.